‘Panguitch Valley Balloon Rally’ offers more than just hot air balloons

Hot air balloons light up the night and Main Street during the "Panguitch Valley Balloon Rally" balloon glow, Panguitch, Utah, June 28, 2014 | File photo by Hollie Reina, St. George News

ST. GEORGE — Visitors can watch hot air balloons take flight as the sun rises during the “Panguitch Valley Balloon Rally.”

The festival is free to attend and takes place throughout Panguitch from June 21-24. The event includes a variety of activities from vendors to children’s rides and is the perfect opportunity to experience Southern Utah’s beauty in a new way.

“The exquisite, red-rock scenery and fresh, crisp air mixed with the brightly colored hot air balloons against the blue sky is what makes our festival unique,” Panguitch Main Street director Sydnee Mecham said. “Those who have moved away come back to this event year after year and bring their friends because there is no other festival quite like ours.”

Hot air balloons in mass ascension, Panguitch, Utah, date not specified | Photo courtesy of the Garfield County Office of Tourism, St. George News

Hot air balloons will take flight daily from Panguitch’s baseball fields at 6:30 a.m. and descend around 9 a.m. After the display of balloons, vendors selling everything from food to crafts will be open all day along Panguitch’s Main Street and behind Zions Bank. The balloon rally also includes kids’ activities such as inflatable rides and slides, bingo, a balloon glow, a 5K race, live entertainment and more.

On June 23, the 5K is being held by the Panguitch High School cross-country club. The race starts at the high school track and begins at 7 a.m. as the balloons rise. Registration is available online or the day of the race from 6-6:45 a.m. Registration is $25 per person. The course will take runners through the town’s streets and loop back to the track. After the 5K, a free children’s race around the track will begin.

“The balloon festival is one of the many ways we attract visitors to our town and increase business,” Mecham said. “The majority of our businesses are on Main Street, which is a big reason why the balloon glow is held on the road.”

The balloon glow is Saturday night, during which all the balloons are lined up on Main Street with a band on each end of the road. As dusk covers the night, the balloons are filled with fiery air to the beat of the music. The vendors and activities will continue offering services during the glow.

Four different bands are scheduled to perform on Friday and Saturday. Friday night’s featured band is The Move Ins and Saturday’s featured bands are Transit Cast, The Good Will Band and Most Wanted.

For more information on the Panguitch Valley Balloon Rally, click here. To learn about other activities and places to see while attending the rally, click here.